U.S. egg industry poised to target Caribbean

The American Egg Board (AEB) and the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) this week released "Caribbean Table Egg & Egg Product Market Research" at the 2017 USAPEEC Annual Meeting in Mexico.

Jointly funded by AEB, the Indiana Corn Marketing Council and USAPEEC using funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Market Access Program, the research outlines the potential for U.S. eggs and egg products in the region and a strategy to build markets.

“The AEB and USAPEEC are pleased to present the results of its Caribbean market research, building upon our recent efforts and successes, to support egg producers interested in increasing demand for U.S. eggs and egg products outside the United States,” AEB president and chief executive officer Anne Alonzo said.

Key takeaways from the research include:

U.S. egg exports to the Caribbean nearly quadrupled from 2010 to 2016, reaching a record value of $27 million in 2016 that accounted for 13.3% of the $203 million total value of U.S. egg exports. This is equivalent to more than 33 million doz. eggs.

$32 million in U.S. fertilized eggs for hatching were exported to the Caribbean in 2016.

There is an intermediate-term opportunity for AEB, USAPEEC and partners to develop a strategy to increase egg consumption. A reasonable intermediate-range goal of 150 eggs per capita could raise U.S. egg exports to 100 million doz. equivalents of eggs and egg products.

Health and nutrition challenges, especially among mothers, young children, school-age children and the elderly, indicate that increasing egg consumption can potentially improve general nutrition and health.

To implement the findings of this research, AEB and USAPEEC will host a Reverse Trade Mission of 8-10 Caribbean buyers to the Americas Food & Beverage Show on Sept. 24-26 in Miami, Fla.